A living fossil: Gymnocrinus richeri
Chapter VIII
Singapore, an
Interesting Case
Study
Singapore, an interesting case
study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 160
Introduction Chapter VIII:
Biodiversity in the Singapore Context
This chapter aims to provide an insight on the state
of biodiversity in Singapore.
Singapore is an interesting case study of biodiversity.
Singapore over the last 30 years has experienced a
major transformation from a third world country to a
highly developed nation. This development has been
at the expense of severe damage to the original
biodiversity.
Much of the species found in Singapore a century ago
are no longer found on the island.
Another particularity of Singapore is that it is an
Island nation of relatively small size. Most of the
islands land has now been sacrified for development
purposes should it be industrial or residential.
However, in its late history, Singapore is trying to
preserve what is left of its original biodiversity by
implementing a number of measures.
About 5% of the land in Singapore has been
dedicated to serve as natural parks. Only a few
parks hold original ecosystems. However the city is
also making efforts to incorporate the natural
environment into the city scape itself. Such
initiative will not bring back the original
biodiversity but at least brings some degree of
biodiversity back to the city.
Such concepts could well be inspirational for cities
of the future around the world. As 80% of the world
population will be living in cities by 2050, it is
important to design cities by integrating natural
features.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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The environmental issues that Singapore
faces today are characteristic of highly-
urbanized cities.
These issues pertain to preventing pollution
from industrialization and urbanization,
preventing marine pollution in its highly-
traversed waters and the protection of
nature areas.
VIII.1 (a) The
Singapore Context
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Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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Singapore is a good case study of the fact that maintaining a few localized biodiverse spots within a
city is not sufficient to prevent important species loss.
VIII.1 (b) At the expense of intense development, Singapore has already lost most of its original biodiversity.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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Singapore holds many bio-diverse ecosystems due
to its suitable location near the equator.
However, Singapore has already lost most of its
natural environment and biodiversity due to rapid
development in the last 30 years.
A study published in May 2010, “Evaluating the
Relative Environmental Impact of Countries”,
ranks Singapore as the highest in relative
environmental impact. This research was
conducted by the University of Adelaide’s
Environment Institute, National University of
Singapore and Princeton University.
This study shows that relative to its land size,
development in Singapore has significantly
contributed to its forest loss, natural habitat
conversion, marine captures, carbon emissions and
biodiversity.
VIII.2 (a) Impacts of
Urban Development on
Biodiversity
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 164
VIII.2 (b) Impacts of
Urban Development on
Biodiversity
Singapore has lost 90 percent of its forest, 67 per
cent of its birds, about 40 per cent of its mammals
and 5 per cent of its amphibians and reptiles. Of
the original mangroves, less than 5% is left. 39% of
all native coastal plants are extinct.
A large proportion of the remaining species are
endangered and their habitats are threatened by
urban development and land reclamation.
Singapore continues to be challenged with pressures
of modernization, limited land availability and a
mandate to preserve the well-being of its
environment and of its citizens.
In order to overcome these challenges, the
Singapore government and urban planners have
designed and implemented strategies in the last 30
years to make Singapore a city garden. © Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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VIII.3 (a) Vision for a
Green City
Today Singapore is one of the few cities in the
world which has managed to incorporate green
spaces and parks within its urban environment.
Over 13% of Singapore’s land area is dedicated
to greening the urban landscape and maintaining
a healthy ecosystem; this includes parks, park
connectors, green spaces and nature reserves.
There is a significant percentage of land
allocated for non-residential and non-
commercial use for a country as small as
Singapore.
Furthermore, in the next 10-15 years, the Urban
Redevelopment Authority (URA) plans to add
new parks and park connectors to Singapore’s.
In URA's Concept Plan and Master Plan, URA aims
to eventually link up the whole island in a 150
km round island route.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 166
To promote green building technologies and designs,
Singapore introduced a Green Mark Scheme for
Buildings. A number of buildings have been Green
Mark certified under this initiative since it was
implemented in 2005.
The National Parks Board has created rooftop
gardens in commercial and residential buildings
which have both aesthetic and environmental
benefits including a positive impact on biodiversity
should green roofs be implemented on large scale.
Green vertical walls have also been built at sites
such as Changi Airport. Such initiatives are only
starting to appear in the city environment in
Singapore and around the world as case studies.
Large scale implementation would however be
required to make a significant difference on
biodiversity in cities.
VIII.3 (b) Vision for a
Green City
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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A key objective to Singapore’s greening initiatives is
to raise awareness and educate its citizens; and to
engender in Singaporeans a sense of love and
respect for nature.
The everyday practices of individuals can pose a
threat to Southeast Asia’s ecosystems.
Urban lifestyle habits such as excessive consumption
and waste, inadequate recycling, and the demand
for exotic animal products are just a few of the
ways that Singaporeans have a negative impact on
the environment.
Changing these harmful lifestyles and habits start
with changing the mindsets of Singaporeans.
VIII.3 (c) Vision for a
Green City
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 168
One of the biggest criticisms to Singapore's city greening
effort is that it is superficial, too high-maintenance and,
ultimately, not ecologically sustainable.
Priority has been given to man-made greening of highways,
streets and residential areas and not enough effort has been
invested conversing and restoring the little natural areas left
in Singapore.
In recent years to preserve its heritage, Singapore has
retained several restricted nature reserve sites where land
development is inhibited and the inherent ecosystems are
protected.
The reserves are utilized for research in preserving and
revitalizing biodiversity in Singapore and educating the public.
However, more can still be done to implement legal
legislature and define land boundaries to protect Singapore’s
nature reserves.
VIII.4 Preserving and
Restoring Biodiversity in
Singapore
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 169
Pulau Ubin’s vegetation was once cleared for the cultivation
of rubber and crops like coffee, pineapple, coconut and
jasmine.
Today, it is one of the last rural areas in Singapore having
been preserved from urban development, concrete buildings
and tarmac roads. Pulau Ubin contains an abundance of
natural flora and fauna.
Chek Jawa is a 5,000 year old coral reef on Pulau Ubin.
Relatively well preserved ecosystems such as wetlands can
still be found on Chek Jawa.
In 2009, the mouse-deer, which has been thought to be
extinct for over 80 years, was discovered on Pulau Ubin.
Scientists speculate that preservation of nature in Pulau Ubin
has allowed for this creature to spread again.
Recovering species is a positive sign that over long periods of
preservations, wild life and eco-systems can be repopulated
to some extent.
VIII.5 (a) Singapore
Remaining Biodiverse
Locations: Case Study
Pulau Ubin
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 170
Pulau Tekong is known for being exclusively
used for military training. Less known is that
Pulau Tekong has one of the largest remaining
mangrove forests in Singapore.
Coastal erosion is putting this 92 hectares of
mangroves in danger. Erosion is being caused by
the movement of ships and strong sea waves.
In 2010, the National Parks Board is undertaking
a project to restore and stabilize the coast line.
8,000 mangrove saplings will be planted to help
deflect sea waves and increase the biodiversity
on the island.
The work being done by the National Parks
Board is a prime example of how Singapore is
protecting its remaining biodiverse areas.
VIII.5 (b) Case Study:
Pulau Tekong
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Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 171
Sunggei Buloh holds extensive mangrove
environments with their associated rich
biodiversity.
This site is of global importance as it has a high
variety of bird species which include migratory
birds that stop over from as far as Siberia on their
way to Australia.
Other reserves of interest in Singapore include the
MacRitchie reservoir, Singapore’s oldest reservoir,
as well as Bukit Timah reserve which has a dense
tropical rainforest.
VIII.5 (c) Singapore’s
Remaining Biodiverse
Locations: Case study
Sunggei Buloh
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 172
VIII.5 (d) A lot can still be done in Singapore in the pursue of becoming one of the worlds first “city in a garden”.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
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2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 173
VIII.6 (a) Biodiversity in the City
Singapore is one of the few cities in the world which has managed
to incorporate green spaces and parks within the urban
environment. Examples include the popular Singapore Botanic
Gardens, busy East Coast Park and tranquil Mount Fabor.
There are more opportunities for Singapore to incorporate natural
features within its urban environment. For example, there is
potential in the implementation of large scale vertical green walls
and to expand the connection of parks and waterways.
To this point, in the next 10-15 years, the Urban Redevelopment
Authority (URA) plans to add new parks and park connectors to
Singapore’s North-East, East and North Regions.
In Singapore’s North Region, the URA also plans to enhance
nature-oriented leisure attractions at Mandai and Kranji.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 174
VIII.6 (b) Singapore extensive network of water reservoirs help to maintain some bio-diverse ecosystems.
However, the creation of new reservoirs such as the Marina Bay reservoir are also controversial when it
comes to biodiversity disturbance.
The marina bay reservoir
despite having some
advantages for flood
control and water
management will have
significant negative
impacts on biodiversity.
As the water within the
bay will slowly change
from salty to fresh
water, many species
which inhabited the bay
wont be able to adapt to
the salinity sudden
change.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 175
VIII.6 (c) Most of the species found in Singapore are not endemic to the
Island but have been introduced from neighboring countries.
Due to its proximity
to Malaysia, most
species found in
Singapore are also
found in Malaysia.
There is therefore
only few real
endemic species in
Singapore itself.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 176
Invasive species is a big problem in Singapore.
VIII.6 (d) As a major transport transit
platform for South East Asia,
numerous indigenous species are
regularly introduced to Singapore.
The pet and trade industry is also
a big contributor as these species
are regularly released into the
environment (reservoirs, parks…).
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 177
Singapore has a few good examples to illustrate that industrial development can be made by not entirely compromising the surrounding
ecosystems.
In Singapore most of the waste is incinerated and the remains from this process are disposed on an artificial landfill. On the other side
of this landfill however lies a nature reserve with extensive sea grass, coral reefs and mangroves. This is a very good (and unique)
example of how a bio-diverse environment can co-exist to some extent with industrial installations.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
VIII.7 Compromise between Development & Environment Preservation
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study
The Diversity Of Life On Earth
2010 © Sylvain Richer de Forges. All rights reserved. 178
As highlighted in this chapter, Singapore is a
very good case study to illustrate the
dilemma faced by urban areas and
biodiversity conservation.
Singapore has already sacrified most of its
biodiversity for development purposes. Only
a few isolated parks and natural spaces are
left in the island city.
However, when compared to other cities
around the world, Singapore is actually a
good example of how intense development
and high population densities can be done in
such a way to minimize biodiversity losses
and/or bring biodiversity back to city
environments to some extent.
Conclusion Chapter VIII
Singapore has an ambitious plan to become
the worlds first true city in a garden.
Numerous initiatives such as improving
existing parks, interconnecting these parks
through green pathways and the development
of roof-top gardens and vertical walls are
under development.
Since most of the world population will be
living in cities in a few decades, Singapore is
a good case study of how cities around the
world should develop by incorporating natural
features into their design.
© Sylvain Richer de Forges
Chapter VIII: Singapore, an Interesting Case Study